Renowned Children's Author Lee Sang-gyo Dies at 77

Lee Sang-gyo, a celebrated figure in Korean children's literature, passed away on March 11th at the age of 77 after a battle with illness.

Born in Seoul in 1949, Lee's literary journey began during his middle school years under the guidance of his teacher, Lee Jeong-ho. He officially debuted as a children's poet in 1973, followed by a second debut as a children's story writer through the Chosun Ilbo newspaper's new writer's contest in 1977. His prolific career saw him recognized with prestigious awards, solidifying his status as a leading voice in the field.

Among his most cherished works are the poetry collection 'I'm Itchy' (2011), which earned him the Park Hong-geun Children's Literature Award, and 'Splashing Across the Night' (2019), winner of the Kwon Jeong-saeng Literature Prize. His picture book 'Grandma's House Guardian,' illustrated by Han Byung-ho, was uniquely selected as one of the '10 Most Beautiful Books in Korea' at the 2023 Seoul International Book Fair.

Lee Sang-gyo was also nominated as a candidate for the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award (ALMA) in 2022. The Korean IBBY (International Board on Books for Young People) committee, which recommended him, praised his consistent and prolific output since 1973, highlighting his ability to capture the essence of small, often overlooked subjects with both wit and depth. They emphasized that showcasing his work internationally would demonstrate the strength of Korean children's literature.

His passing is mourned by his daughters, Kim So-yoon and Kim Min-ji, and his son-in-law, Lee Sang-hoon. The funeral arrangements are being held at Seoul Asan Medical Center in Songpa-gu, Seoul, with the cremation scheduled for March 13th.

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Since starting his career in 1973, he has been actively engaged in creation until recently, making him a representative children's poet and children's story writer in Korea. Especially, his poetic world, which does not overlook subjects considered small and trivial, and captures both fun and depth, is an excellent opportunity to showcase the potential of Korean children's literature internationally.